Overcoming Fear
I had just gone to work for a publishing company. My publisher said to me, ‘I’ve got a song title for you, “Me And Bobby McGee,†but here’s the hook—Bobby is a she.’ I’m thinking, holy shit, I can’t do this. — Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson was born in Brownsville, Texas, and moved to California in his teens. While in college he was awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship and continued his education at Oxford University during the late 50s. It was here that he started writing songs, which continued during his days as an Army pilot, eventually landing a job as “studio set-up guy†in Nashville. Songs such as “Help Me Make It Through The Nightâ€, “Me And Bobby McGee,†and “For The Good Times†established him as a major writer and launched his hardworking career as a performer, recording artist, actor and outspoken spokeman for human rights.
1994: Kristofferson arrived at Brooklyn Recording, hands were shook all ‘round and Ed Cherney unveiled the first mix. Kristofferson hunkered down at the board, concentrating, nodding, then smiling, and finally just throwing his arms up and laughing with sheer joy.
Clockwise from top left are Kris Kristofferson, producer Don Was, and engineer Ed Cherney, at Brooklyn Recording Studio, 1994. Don sat down at the Neve 8078 and offered a few suggestions for bringing out a guitar. Ed described some frequency collision areas and together they worked on it a bit more, laid it down, popped it in a boom box just to make sure it was done, and Ed set up for the next mix.
The First Break
Nashville saved my life. I deliberately went in at the bottom, to learn about recording studios from the bottom up. The position I found was very easy to fit into: janitor at a recording studio. Billy Swan got it for me. He had the job before me and wanted to quit. I guess the stress was too much.
—Kris Kristofferson
MUSIC SMARTS features hundreds of quotations from a vast array of artists and industry gurus, reflecting on influences, heroes, integrity, performances, and many more critical aspects of being a music person. These gems of hard-won wisdom cover not only the highs of success, money, and fame, but also reveal the lows of missteps and rejection.
NEW REVIEW BY DAVID DAVIES FROM PRO SOUND NEWS EUROPE:Â click here.
NEW REVIEW BY BARRY RUDOLPH FROM MUSIC CONNECTION: click here.
Drawn from 25 years of feature interviews by notorious studio insider, Mr. Bonzai, and edited by Mix magazine creator, David Schwartz, Music Smarts features razor-sharp insights from the music industry’s savviest artists, producers, technicians, and business execs, and showcases the brainpower that has made popular music the most influential force in modern culture. This handbook also includes a visual “who’s who†of the music biz with original portraits by Mr. Bonzai of the featured artists.
Look Inside the Book and order a dozen at Amazon.com
For more of Suzanne Vega, visit my Berkleemusic Blog
You must log in to post a comment.